May 23, 1998: Sly in Zurich

1998-05-23 Sly (Wolff Ferrari), Opernhaus Zürich

Sly = Josep Carreras
Westmoreland = Juan Pons
Dolly = Daniela Dessi
John Plake = Carlos Chausson

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor



This was the first time for me, Sly. A copy of a recording of a German recording had been my preparation and reading the libretto, but in German Sly is not an opera easily to be liked. Even in Italian it is not easy the first time. To have Jose Carreras in this role, creates all those positive forces that is needed to get an opera like this to be revived. This is an opera that needs a great ensemble of good singers, Zurich have an excellent ensemble. Like Stefania Kaluza as the hostess. She is an excellent mezzo, a Zurich member. Great! With Juan Pons as Westmoreland and Daniella Dessi as Dolly, and Carlos Chausson as John Plake headed by the great Jose Carreras as Sly, it could only be success.

First act is in a tavern, filled with many different characters. Vivid! Dolly has run off from her gilded life with the Count and come to the tavern to the real life. All reacts to her beauty, Dolly is enjoying herself but too soon the Count find out where he is. John Plake tells of Sly, Sly comes. He is a poet (a drunkard,too), he is making poetry of fantasizing. Snare tried to get Sly to prison (since Sly has debts to pay). Dolly protects Sly via the Count. Sly is so drunk that he fantasize of the perfect woman with Dolly standing so close to him, and he notices her not.
All the Counts sees in Sly is somebody/something that can amuse him, Dolly sees a dream and feels compassion to Sly. The Count decide; we will make Sly think he is the Count, what an amusement it will be.

Second act is in the Castle of Count Westmoreland. Sly wakes up and cannot believe it is true, he is an aristocrat and rich. But what makes him want to go with the dream, is the woman. His wife, who is waiting for him. He is seduced by the richesse. Love is at hand for Sly, the incomparable dream for Sly. Dolly is supposed to take part in a comedy, playing her part. But Dolly starts feeling for Sly, LOVE. Big Love Duet! Then the Count pretends to be Snare, Sly understands. They are murdering Love.

Third act is the dungeon of the Castle. Sly wakes up, desperate. When he decide it has all been a LIE, he decide on DEATH. Dolly comes in, but he is already dying.

THE END.
Carreras is the ultimate SLY!!!!

OD Travel + Photos

Musilkalische Leitung RAFAEL FRÜHBECK DE BURGOS
Inszenierung HANS HOFMANN
ßühnenbild HANS HOFFER
Kostüme DIRK VON BODISCO
Lichtgestaltung JÜRGEN HOFFMANN
Chor ERNST RAFFElSBERGER


Französiss('her Edelmann/Musiker PIOTR BECZALA
1. Edelnann/mohr MARTIN ZYSSET
2. Edelnann/Indiauer VOLKER VOGEL
3. Edelmann/ Alter Diener PETER KELLER
4. Edelmam1/Chinese RUDOLF A. HARTMANN
5. Edehnann/Doktor JEE-I-IYUN KIM0
Wirtin STEFANIA KALUZA
Rosalina CAPUCINE CHIAUDANl0
Snare, Polizeibeamter RORY BAIN°
Page GABRIELA PALIKRUSCHEVAo
Kellner MIROSLAV CHRISTOFF
Landrichter RICARDO BERNAL0
Soldat JUUSO HEIVIMINKi 0
KoehI-IEIKKI YRTTIAHO
Fuhrmann ENGELBERT CARL
1. Säufer CARL HIEGER
2. Säufer PETER KÁLMÁN°
1. Dame MILENAJOTOwVAO
2. Dame ALEXANDRA WEISS0
3. Dame CAPUCINE CHIAUDANi 0
1. Diener RUDOLF A. I-IARTIVIANN
2. Diener RORY BAIN°
3. Diener JEE-I-IYUN KIIVi 0
Dubiose Individuen JULlE BRÄUNING+, SILJA CLEMENS+,
und junge Höflinge SUSANNE LlCHTENßERGER+, ANTJE MAlRlCH+,
B,ARB,ARA MAURER+, ALEX,ANDRA RÖHRER+, KEERSTlN RULLlK+ PHILIPPE GRAßER+, INGO I-IElSE+, MARCEL METTEN+, EMAANUEL RUHOFF +, HENRlK ZIMMIERMANN+
0 Mitgiie,d des lnternationaien Opernstudios,
unterstützt vou der Herbert von Karajan M"sic, Legacy
und von Geert. Bianke,n, Sursee
+ Student/in der Schauspiel Aikademie Zürich
CHOR DES OPERNIHIAUSES ZÜRICI-I
STATISTENVEREIN AM OPERNI-IAUS züRIcI-I
ORCI-IESTER DER OPER ZÜRICI-I